Runyon named PFD chief

Scott Runyon, a veteran firefighter with more than 23 years experience with the Pontiac Fire Department, was selected as the department’s new chief at the City Council meeting Monday night.

Runyon, 48, will be sworn in as the new chief at the council’s March 4 meeting.

City Administrator Bob Karls said one of the many positive aspects of his job is to recommend management positions and that he was happy to promote from within the PFD’s ranks.

“I’m very pleased to make this recommendation,” Karls said following an executive session, where council members talked with Runyon prior to voting on his appointment.

Runyon replaces former chief John Cummins, who left the post last fall.

Karls said replacing Cummins was a lengthy process as there were 25 applicants for the post and he had held several interviews with the top three candidates.

Runyon will observe his 24 years of service anniversary with the Fire Department in July.

He was hired as a firefighter-engineer and was promoted to lieutenant and shift commander in 2001.

He and his wife, Suzanne, have a son, Trevor, 17. They are also a foster care home and are members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

The council also selected a consultant for the electrical aggregation the city is proposing for local residents.

Mayor Bob Russell said he and Karls met with two consulting firms and they selected the Farnsworth Group and the Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network to work as the city’s consultant on the project. The council approved this choice.

Residents will vote April 9 on whether the city should join a municipal electricity aggregation. These aggregations allow purchase of electricity through competing suppliers at a lower rate.

Russell said residents could see a 20 to 25 percent decrease in electrical supply costs.

“The city is proposing this, but it is strictly a benefit to the residents,” Russell said.

The mayor noted that Farnsworth and ICCAN have partnered to provide other communities with guidance through the aggregation process.

Basically, if the measure passes, the consultants will contract with retail electricity suppliers who give the best rates for all residential and small commercial businesses. ComEd would still deliver the electricity and handle billing.

“There are more than 50 communities in Illinois already doing this,” Russell said. “If this passes in Pontiac, residents could see decreased supplier costs as early as the June bill.”

“We know people are getting bombarded daily with phone calls about electricity suppliers. Once this is in place, that should stop. And it should be noted that Farnsworth and ICCAN will only deal with the higher-rated companies as suppliers.” A worksheet provided at the meeting noted that Farnsworth and ICCAN do not have compensation relationships with any suppliers, so more suppliers will actually participate in the solicitation process.

Page 2 of 2 - Russell also stated that residents who have already signed individual electricity supply contracts would be able to opt out of the city’s aggregate network or could investigate dropping out of their individual contracts, although that might include incurring a penalty cost.

Karls said even though the city does not have to pay for the aggregation network or the consultants, he has heard some people do not like city government involved in this process, “but this is a role the Illinois Legislature has given us. It’s something that can greatly help residents,” he said.

The city administrator also observed that Farnsworth and ICCAN will develop a website so that larger businesses may be able to opt in at some point, although the electrical supply cost may be a little higher than for residential customers.

In another matter, Lori Fairfield, executive director of P.R.O.U.D., asked the council for permission to hold the ninth annual Carnival Days in the downtown area.

Fairfield said the carnival would be held this year in conjunction with the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event, May 2-5. Big H Amusements of Fairbury will again put on the carnival.

“We are looking for the carnival to again be located on Water Street in Humiston-Riverside Park,” Fairfield said.

She requested the parking lots in that area be closed during the carnival, plus one day before for setting up and one day after the carnival for taking down equipment. She also said Big H gives a portion of Sunday wristband sale proceeds to a local organization and this year’s recipient will be United Way of Pontiac. Fairfield said the carnival has been a major P.R.O.U.D. fundraiser the past six years, netting about $5,000 annually.

Today, Tuesday, Feb. 19, was also proclaimed Mosaic Day in Pontiac by Russell following a presentation by Sean Zears, community relations manager for Mosaic.

The public is invited to a celebration today honoring Mosaic 100th service anniversary and its employees at First Lutheran Church, 311 W. Grove St. A reception begins at 12:30 p.m. with cake and punch. A teleconference call with Mosaic CEO Linda Timmons will be conducted with Mosaic agencies all across the country beginning at 1 p.m.

Zears noted that Mosaic has been serving clients with mental disabilities in Pontiac for 30 years.